AnyCollege Blog

Freshman 15

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:44:00 -0400

In one of our previous blog post Adjusting to College Life, we touched on the Freshman 15 and felt it deserved a post entirely devoted to this topic. “Freshman 15” is a phrase that strikes fear into the hearts of College freshman across the nation, a somewhat somber reminder of what they can expect after their freshman year. Most freshman enter into their first year of college with the full expectation of gaining weight their freshmen year.

These freshmen would be able to avoid these extra pounds by simply understanding what causes the “freshman 15” and what they can do to avoid freshmen fifteen weight. Here are some good tips that will help educate you on the freshman 15 and give you tips on how to combat it.

Freshman 15 Causes

The Freshman Fifteen are caused by the perfect storm of lifestyle changes, with multiple factors coming together to cause weight gain. Freshmen who are worried about gaining weight during their freshman year need to realize that their new lifestyle change will require a change in habits.

Freshmen are known for eating on the go. With random and busy schedules, freshmen can rarely find time to sit down for a meal. When freshmen can sit down for a meal, they are limited to whatever they can fit in their mini-fridge and cook in a refrigerator. This often leads to poor food choices, which can lead to weight gain.

Freshmen are also notorious for staying up late on a regular basis. The snacks that you eat during the late hours of the night will come back to haunt you, as your body is more likely to store sugars and fats at night. A simple snack of fries and a pop, over the course of a year, can lead to significant weight gain.

Freshmen fifteen statistics show that freshmen are less active in college. When you move to college, your lifestyle changes, and the idea of going to the gym for a workout is less attractive. Many freshmen do not have cars, making getting to the gym difficult. The combination of bad foods, late night eating, and fewer workouts will lead to a Freshman 15.

Avoid the Freshman 15

Freshmen are constantly looking for tips to avoid freshman 15 weight, trying to learn how to avoid the freshman 15. There are some simple and easy tips to follow that will help individuals to lose freshman 15 weight.

One simple tip is to control your eating habits. Set specific times for snacks and meals, keeping flexible for last minute schedule changes. The most important time to set is a cut-off time; do not let yourself eat past a certain time of day. Stopping your food intake around 8PM or 9PM will help you to avoid the freshman 15.

Another tip is to post pictures of yourself in the places that you eat. These “Freshman 15 pictures” will help to keep you motivated, reminding you of the body that you would like to keep as you debate your food choices.

The best tip for those looking to lose the Freshmen 15 is to go on a steady and reasonable diet. Crash dieting never works for those who gain the freshmen fifteen, as they simply gain the weight back when they stop the diet. Small diet changes, including fewer carbohydrates, no fast food, and no soda, will help you to avoid the freshman 15.

Freshman 15 Stories

Most stories start out with “why me” and “what did I do wrong?” It’s usually the perfect storm of a change in lifestyle and diet. If you follow some of the advice above, you may actually have a good story to tell about it. Just be sure and keep your head up and realize there are ways you can overcome these challenges physically and mentally.

Feel free to share you freshman 15 stories on AnyCollege.com.

Top 10 iPhone Apps to Help You Succeed in School

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:07:00 -0400

Students are starting to head back to school and following them is a myriad of new technologies. With over 1.5 million iPhone 4 handsets and 3 million iPads sold to date, it’s a good bet that a large number of those are in the hands of students.

AnyCollege recommends leveraging your iPhone or iPad to make your college life a better one. A recent article on Mashable discussing must have apps as the semester starts. These apps aim to help students from grade school to grad school, so read more about them below!

1. Open Culture

This app is free and gives you access to a large selection of video and audio collections that are intellectual and educational. The app also allows you to listen to lectures from universities around the world.

Radio shows and podcasts are also available for download that will plug you into some of the most cutting edge thinkers in the world. Worth a download if you are looking for an educational way to relax.

2. Mental Case

Tired of writing out flashcards to study for your test? Now you can create them on your iPhone and study whenever, wherever. The big thing this has over traditional flashcards is that you can record audio and insert images into the cards.

The cost is $4.95 and that also grants you access to a feature that allows you to reference 21 million + cards ranging from anatomy to psychology.

3. Rate My Professor

Back in the day there used to be “black list” papers that floated around campus telling you which professors/classes to take, or stay away from. Now there is an app for that.

This app allows you to search by school and then by professor/class. This could come in handy and save you a lot of “why did I take this class” moments. Doing your “homework” on professors could help make or break your semester.

4. myHomework and iStudiez Pro

You guessed it, this app helps you stay organized in the homework department. From calendar view, color coding and reminder, you should take advantage of myHomework to keep your homework on track. Best of all, it’s free!

Need help keeping your schedule/life organized? Then iStudiez Pro is for you. For $2.99, you can enter in all of your classes, lectures, frat parties and football games to make sure you never miss any of them.

5. Free Translator

Let’s face it, a lot of people have a tough time grasping a foreign language, its okay, there is an app for that too. It’s not the most robust translator out there, but it should help you get by if you’re in a pinch. Fee based foreign language apps may offer more functionality, but you can’t go wrong trying out this free option for awhile.

6. Chegg

Just when you think you are broke, you realize that you still haven’t bought your books yet! Yikes! Well Chegg is here to help you out. This free app allows you to RENT your books opposed to buying them.

You can search by author, title, scan the books barcode or by the ISBN numbers. Yes you have to return them eventually, but who really needs to hold on to a micro-biology book for 4 years?

7. Blackboard Mobile Learn for iPhone

For those students that are at a school that utilized the Blackboard platform, this app is for you. It allows you to easily access your schools Blackboard account while you are on the go.

This app is free and has a very user friendly interface, definitely worth the download if you have the need.

8. Quick Graph

Who needs a TI-83, 84 or 89, when you have this app? Okay, okay, so maybe it doesn’t have all the features that the TI’s have, but this will let you do something that those won’t, graph in 3D!

9. Formulus Free – Formulas for Calculus

In college it seems that Math boils down to one constant, formulas. This free app allows you to keep track of the plethora of formulas that you are supposed to memorize. No longer do you have to put an asterisk next to all those formulas in your notebook, just plug them into this app for future reference.

10. Free Books

Free Books should really change their name to $1.99 Books, because that’s what it costs to download, but I digress. This is actually a pretty decent app considering you have access to over 20,000 classic books once you pony up the entry fee.

You will find many of the classics that you may have to read in your English Lit class, so this could be a big money saver for you if you don’t mind reading it off of your screen. If you aren’t crazy about reading it off of your screen, fear not, the app does also allow you the option of downloading it to an e-reader, or you can send it to yourself via email.

In conclusion, these apps could definitely make your student life an easier and more productive one. If you are interested in finding a college to use these apps at, swing by AnyCollege to find a school in your area.

Source: Mashable

Adjusting to College Life

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:36:00 -0400

Tips to Adjusting to College:

Starting College

As a freshman year college student, give yourself time to adjust to the college transition. You need some time to digest all of the new things around you before you go home for a visit. It's very common to become homesick when you first move into a dorm. Especially if you're within driving distance of home, you may be tempted to go back within your first few weeks because of that feeling. Try to avoid doing so and instead give yourself time to experience your new surroundings. Look into college programs on campus that can help keep you engaged in the campus social life. Be sure to check out our College Freshman Survival Guide for tips on making this adjustment easier.

Dorm living

Leaving your family to move into a dorm and become a college freshman is something that you might be looking forward to or you might be dreading. For most undergrad students, adjusting to college life is a combination of both. The idea of going away and being independent is exciting but there is some worry about being alone, possibly for the first time and some people have trouble adjusting to college. Below you will find some tips or adjusting to college.

Many college freshman tips talk about how to adjust to dorm life, how to budget your time and your money and how to handle living with a roommate that you don't know. They will also talk about moving out checklists, dorm checklists, dorm stuff and the dreaded freshman 15. Not as much college preparation seems to be spent preparing you for how you'll feel when you leave your family. This could be one of the toughest things to do. But you have to consider your family and your place within it, as well. It's often just as much an adjustment for parents and family members as it is for you when you leave home. Though they know you'll be coming back for visits (and maybe even bringing your laundry with you!) it may be the first time you've been away from home for weeks at a time.

College Activities

Going home early or often in the beginning can actually make you more homesick. Do your best to stay on campus as much as you can and get involved in social activities around your campus to help distract you from those feelings until you adjust. Ask your RA if there is a college activity list or if they have any ideas on what you can do. Some colleges also have a college activities board that can help place you in the right group. Call home, write, e-mail or talk via web cam when you feel home sick, and express your feelings. Your parents or family members are bound understand because they're going to be missing you, and they may remember what it was like for them when they went away to college.

College Freshman Tips

There are a lot of sites that have college freshman tips and advice for students that are having some problems. Here is an idea that could help, revive the somewhat forgotten art of letter writing and actually mail them home. Your parents will probably be thrilled to hear from you in this way and the act of manually writing down how you feel and writing to them about your college freshman adventures can help you feel less homesick and make the adjustment easier. This is also a lot more personable and only takes a few more minutes to complete than sending an email.

College Depression

If you're a freshman year college student and you're having some homesickness, don't forget that your family may be having a harder time than you. Call home and contact your family on a regular basis to help ease their transition to your college life. Staying in touch with your family and friends can help keep your spirits high. And don't hesitate to contact a school counselor if your feelings of homesickness persist, or you start to feel lonely or depressed, because counselors have great college freshman tips to share. Those tips listed above will help you avoid college depression, college anxiety, or feelings of being home sick or bipolar. There are a lot of college depression facts that show a correlation of college success vs. college drop outs. So be sure to seek help if you feel you are starting to struggle with any of these feelings.

Comparing Colleges

One way to make sure you find the right college that’s not too far from home, is to use AnyCollege. You can compare college and universities though our online search engine. We also have a great resource center with stats, charts and worksheets on colleges in your area.

College Admissions Counseling Tip: Time Management in College

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 12:55:11 -0400

College Preparation

Each student's freshman year of college typically starts with some college preparation for high school students and is something that's traditionally exciting and scary at the same time. Going to college is like going to a new country by yourself. Your time spent on college preparation by reading college preparation checklists and making sure that your plans are complete can help you adjust. Even if you do follow some college preparation tips there are still going to be things that catch you off guard, and there will be pleasant surprises, too. Academically, how well you adjust will determine your grades and how much you enjoy the experience, as well as how likely you are to finish and actually earn a degree.

Classroom Attendance Policy

It's all too common for undergrads to expect that as a freshman year college student it's okay to blow off some classes while ignoring the classroom attendance policy. In this way, college is vastly different than high school. If you missed five days of high school in a row, there were serious consequences. The school would expect some sort of medical excuse or other explanation. But many college professors simply don't care if you have good classroom attendance. They assume that you're an adult and you can make these choices for yourself. There's no need to call into class or bring a note from home if you're not going to be there, like you had to do in high school with the old type of classroom attendance policies. But it's your responsibility to find out what was covered in the class and make up any necessary work.

Classroom Attendance Rosters

Be aware that some college professors understand that an undergrad can get overwhelmed with the idea of having the freedom of choosing not to attend the class so they adjust their classroom attendance policies to help you. So some professors may have a classroom attendance roster and keep track of who comes to class on a regular basis. Your grade may be affected by lack of attendance, your marks on the classroom attendance chart or participation in some cases, so make wise choices.

College Admissions Counseling

As a college freshman, you might find that the classes aren't the most difficult college courses as you might have expected. This is sometimes the case because often the first level math, science or English classes cover the same ground as the more advanced high school classes. A freshman year college student is facing a lot of pressure from all sides, and the classes may be designed to help you adjust rather than to daunt you immediately. If you are still having troubles with your classes you should definitely seek the help of a college admissions counseling session to learn the best way to strategically deal with your courses. If you ignore available college admissions consulting you are doing a disservice to yourself, so check them out!

Time Management for College Freshman

Don't expect this ease in every class, however. Some classes may be your first taste of a true college experience by requiring a great deal of work with things like frequent papers and presentations, as well as heavy testing. Learn time management for college freshman from a book or a college admissions consultant so you can prioritize your day. That will help you make time for your classes and give yourself plenty of study time. Treat your higher education as the enormous financial and time investment that is, and take it seriously by taking a close look at materials on time management for college students. When you're prepared for each class, you're more likely to have guilt-free fun during your freshman year and get the most you can out of your undergrad college experience all because you took the time to learn good time management in college.

AnyCollege can help you find colleges and universities where you can succeed academically. We also have a great college resource center that has a ton of great information to help you excel in college.

College Freshman Survival Guide Statistics, Social Advice & Freshman Fifteen: Part 2

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 12:32:16 -0400

Some of the most repeated college freshman tips include how to deal with difficult roommates or how to win your new roommate over and make him or her a friend. No one wants to live with someone who is distance or unpleasant. And statistics show that not only can it be annoying, it can threaten your higher education.

Freshman College Statistics

An article in the College Student Journal suggests that not only is social adjustment desirable, it can help make or break your success as a college freshman. Apparently, about 30% to 40% of college students eventually drop out before they earn a degree. And aside from having problems with classes and other issues that make a student drop out of college, not adjusting to dormitory life and the social changes that college brings on can make it more likely that a student won't finish school.

A college education is a huge financial investment in your future. It should be your priority to get the most you can out of it, so adjusting socially to your new environment is very important. Whether you're attending school on college freshman scholarships are you're paying for it yourself with the help of family, it's often easy to forget just how expensive it is and how important it is when you're feeling down or lonely.

College Freshman Social Advice

Making connections and bonds as quickly as possible when you're a college freshman can help you, not only throughout your freshman year, but your entire college career. Of course, reach out to your roommate and try to forge a connection there. One of the best pieces of college freshman advice is it's best if you don't have any preconceived notions before you meet your roommate that way you won't be disappointed if they don't turn out to be your best friend right away. And there's no point in wasting time and energy worrying about a roommate that might be terrible. Try to have an open mind and decide to go with the flow.

Also, reach out to people in your dorm and in your classes. If you're lucky enough that some of your friends are attending the same college, that's a social safety net but don't let that keep you from making new friends. Cloistering yourself among what's already familiar isn't going to help you adjust to college. Get involved in some organizations or sports to get yourself out of your dorm room and among new people can help you make new friends and adjust socially, and can help you avoid the dreaded "freshman 15."

The Freshman Fifteen

Gaining 10 to 15 pounds is something that's common among freshmen because of changes in eating habits, and the tendency to eat when you're lonely or frustrated. But you don't have to come home a heavier college freshman than when you went if you focus on staying active and meeting new people. And if you have problems adjusting socially, there are on-campus guidance counselors and psychologists that can help you, so don't hesitate to contact one for college freshman tips and moral support.

Visit AnyCollege to find colleges and universities near you where you can make new friends and get a higher education.

Tales from Turkey: Part VI

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 15:27:00 -0400

mmm, Food

Before leaving on my trip, my friends talked me into hosting a dinner of Turkish food when I get back. I doubt I'll be able to pull off meals as good as what I've had here, but so far this is what I'm thinking.

To start:

Bread. Lots and lots of white bread.
Yogurt and spinach to dip it in (or, possible, cucumber and yogurt)
Some sort of eggplant and tomato cold salad
If I'm feeling ambitious (or can find them in the store...), some stuffed grape leaves
Turkish tea

Main meal:

Salad of lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber and olives with olive oil and lemon juice for dressing
Kebabs cooked over coal, probably chicken because I have no idea how to make lamb
Fries (no skins!) with ketchup and mayo
Raki for the drinkers, ayran for the rest. If they don't want either of those, I'll charge them for water.

Dessert:

Turkish coffee and I will pretend to I know how to read their fortunes from the grounds
The most delicious watermelon, strawberries and honeydew I can find

If that all gets too complicated, I'll just give up and make potatoes

The key to recreating a Turkish meal is not so much copying the individual flavors, but the ambiance. Everyone who comes over will be signing up for at least 3 or 4 hours of dwindling over plates of food and raki. Perhaps we'll eat on the patio, but getting eaten alive by bugs in Kansas isn't quite the same as the wonderful cafes where shade and a gentle breeze bring the temperature from unbearably hot to perfect.

One thing that I won't be able to show them is the fun of dancing and shaking a tambourine to traditional Turkish music like we did here in Istanbul, but I think we'll have a good time.

All of us here at AnyCollege.com are dedicated to helping you find the right school for you. Including the schools that can help you get to exotic places like Turkey which has some great food. We also give away 6 scholarships a year, so be sure to get your entry in today!

Tales from Turkey: Part V

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 09:19:00 -0400

False Assumptions

When I signed up to study in Turkey, I was not expecting to end up like this. Soaked in muddy water with scraped knees, and nursing a sore foot from walking barefoot until finding someone's lost shoe to finish the end of the trek. A hike through Saklikent Gorge is definitely not what first comes to mind when you think of Turkey.

When I told people I was going to Turkey, a common reaction was "Why would you want to go there? They [insert some terrible characteristic]." So I think it's time to clear up some misconceptions that my friends and family have about Turkey.

"You're going to have to wear a burka, and they don't let women in public.
We have had more interactions with Turkish men than women, but I think that is more due to primarily men working in hotels, shops and restaurants where we've spent the most of our time. I've seen head-to-toe burkas - the black gowns where only the eyes show - once in my two weeks in Turkey, and it might have been a group of tourists. Head scarves are common, but not the norm, especially with younger women. Even women who cover completely find a way to do it fashionable, to the point that I would really love to own some of their clothes. I think Turkey has pushed the division of state and religion a bit too far, actually, since students aren't able to wear scarves to state universities.

"You're going to be killed by terrorists because Turkey borders Iraq."
Yeah, the countries share a border, but the distance from Istanbul to Baghdad is about the same as the distance from my house in Prairie Village to the drug wars happening in Mexico. I'm not scared.

Istanbul is a city of 12+ million people. Crime happens. I'm not going to wander down dark alleys alone or leave lira hanging out of my pocket, but terrorists? Not so much. Even with all the hubbub with Israel, I've only seen a handful of graffiti or signs expressing outrage. When we asked at the synagogue, the man giving us a tour said he hasn't experienced any sort of animosity. It seems like everyone is busy going about their day and pretty committed to get along.

"You're going to get spit on, because they all hate Americans."
I've seen opinion polls showing that 70% of Turks disapprove of Americans, but I have yet to experience anything but hospitality from the people I've met. Every time I've traveled, I've gone home and said the people were amazing, but I feel like Turkey is in a league of its own. Our tour guides feel more like rent-a-friends than guides. Each one has gone above and beyond - offering to take us out on the town, giving us watermelon, walking us to our bus terminal, inviting us out for drinks, friending us on Facebook, etc.

Everyone is so hospitable that I actually find it difficult to navigate. At what point am I being rude turning down offers? Or, conversely, when am I taking advantage of their kindness? When we prodded one our friends for why he was doing so much for us, he said he wanted us to know what Turkish people were really like, not the stereotypes of the Middle East, so that people could know how great Turkey is. It's working.

AnyCollege.com is here to help you find a school that you can study abroad with. We encourage you to embrace all the opportunities our schools offer. If you need more information, please consult our Resource Center.

Veterans Struggle to Pay-Off Student Loans

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 12:17:00 -0400

There was a good discussion on NPR this morning about a non-profit group that was formed to help U.S. Veterans pay off their student loan debt. It is actually two Veterans who started the group, Leave No Veterans Behind. This focused group is making strides to help relieve them of their Veteran student loans.

One of the founders shared a story about when he was deployed overseas he actually received a call from his student loan originator asking him to make a payment. Student loans are supposed to be deferred when a soldier/sailor is deployed, but for whatever reason the loan originator still called them. They ended up working it out in the end and it helped spark the idea of helping other Veterans out with their loans. If you would like to help a Veteran, please visit their website.

The average Veteran who attends school has an average student loan debt of $42,000. This eye-popping figure is what Leave No Veterans Behind is out to help with. The group has already helped wipe the student loan debt clean for 3 Veterans and they continue to seek out donations so they can help out the hundreds of thousands of other Veterans struggling to pay off their loans.

If you are Veteran, AnyCollege works with many schools that offer exclusive scholarship and financial aid options to Veterans, so be sure to check out some of these great colleges today. While you are at it, swing over and submit an entry for our scholarship drawing!

Tales from Turkey: Part IV

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:04:00 -0400

Hand Made

Turkey is indulging my love of handmade things. Everywhere you look there are beautiful hand-knotted rugs or gorgeous tiles. The skills used to make these things have been handed down for centuries, and while the styles change over time, traditional patterns are common.

On our way to the airport from Kusadasi, we stopped by Ephesus Tile to check them out.

Master potter throwing a pot

They use white clay to create the form. After drying for a couple days, they fire it in the kiln. Then the artists will paint the design on the pottery and then fill them in with color. They add a layer of glaze and fire the ceramics again. That layer of gloss protects the colors and they last for centuries, like those used at the mosques.

The dome of the Blue Mosque

I loved all the ceramics and knew a plate or tile would be the perfect keepsake for my visit to Turkey. I had thought I wanted to get a traditional design, the Tree of Life, but Ephesus had some beautiful unique designs that were inspired from the traditional designs.
I finally settled on this gorgeous plate. It's tulips, which is an important flower to Turkey. The flower originated in the country, and the name in reverse spells 'Allah'. The guy selling me the bowl said they were symbols of love, too. Whatever the added significance, I love this plate. I'm so excited to own it.

AnyCollege.com can help you get on the path to rewarding education.

Tales from Turkey: Part III

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:58:00 -0400

Christianity in a Muslim Nation

Before coming to Turkey, I was expecting to visit places that are important in the history of Islam and learn more about that faith, but I've been surprised by how many places we've visited that are important in the Catholic tradition, which I was raised in. Although I can count the times I've been to Mass in the last five years on one hand (sorry Grandma), I can't help but feel these places are a part of my history. Constantinople was an important city in the early days of Christianity. Constantine, the man from whom the city got its name, declared the Christian faith the official religion of the empire. The city served as the Eastern capital of the Church, while Rome ruled over the west. Side by side in Istanbul are the Hagia Sophia and St. Irene's. Dating from the 6th century and 4th century, respectively, both building show the progression of attitudes toward Christianity and religion over time. When the Muslim Ottomans sacked Constantinople, they allowed the church to continue operating, but would store weaponry and artifacts in the building. Now, in secular Turkey, the church is used as a concert hall.

Saint Irene's

Hagia Sophia was such an impressive structure (a topic in and of itself) that the Mehmed the Conqueror had it converted to a mosque, and it remained one until the Republic of Turkey converted it to a museum. In the conversion, the Sultan ordered artists to cover over much of the Christian symbolism. The design the artist used included a fish, an early symbol of Christians, in order to communicate to those in the faith that the Church was still there, even if the building was taken. Looking at the paintings centuries later, it's easy to see what was original and what was the cover up.

Paintings in the Hagia Sophia

By far, the most surprising place to visit was our trip to the final home of the Virgin Mary. She and John the Baptist fled the persecution of early Christians and settled outside Ephesus. As far as tourist attractions go, it isn't much. A cistern, a small stone house, a spring and a wishing wall. It's almost laughable when you compare it to the majesty of the Vatican or the ornate mosaics at Hagia Sophia. But this humble house on the top of a hill thousands of miles from Jerusalem was the greatest reminder of the faith I've visited. To touch the walls built by an old woman who would travel thousands of miles, much of it probably by foot, to flee persecution and spread the word of something she believed in is much more impressive and humbling to me than a thousand gold gilded artifacts or Renaissance artworks.

Mary's Final Home

This next photo summarizes the dynamic of religions in Turkey. The column in the front marks the Temple of Artemis. It was originally a pagan goddess, but renamed by the Greeks. To the left are the ruins of the Basilica of St John the Baptist, where his remains laid until the Crusades. Immediately to it's left is a mosque, currently in use. Layers upon layers of traditions.

Temple of Artemis

AnyCollege.com can help you find a college that will help you study abroad in countries like this.

Tales from Turkey: Part II

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:11:00 -0400

Where am I again?

After a couple days in Istanbul, I can't help but wonder if this city is an elaborate Rorschach test. What would you like to see?

Byzantine mosaics? No big deal.

Greek sculpture? Yep.

Roman ruins? Sure!

One of the seven wonders of the world and one of the oldest churches? Just head over the Hagia Sophia.

A secular, liberal Islam state? Yepper.

If museums aren't really your thing, there is a vibrant night life and wonderful cafes with gorgeous views.

The history here is long, and Istanbul was a vibrant, diverse city before the United States existed. Istanbul was the seat of the Ottoman empire for over 600 years. The empire spread across northern Africa, into eastern Europe and Asia, encompassing many different languages, cultures and religions. When Europe was in the middle of the Dark Ages, Istanbul was a center of culture and learning whose influence was felt throughout the known world.

Trying to untangle thousands of years of history, culture and meaning in three weeks will be a feat. I think I could spend thirty years in Turkey and only begin to scratch the surface of this dynamic place.

This is what studing abroad is all about and AnyCollege.com is here to help you find a school that can lead you on this path.

AnyCollege.com User Heads to Turkey

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:30:00 -0400

This is a new blog series we will be offering over the next couple of weeks. One of the users of AnyCollege.com is going to Turkey to study abroad and will be blogging throughout her trip. So be sure and check out what she sends us!
Onward to Istanbul
Over the past couple weeks, everyone has been asking me why I'm going to Turkey or what's there (well, after getting done singing They Might Be Giants at me). My default answers have been "because I can" and "I'll let you know when I get back", which isn't far from the truth. I have no idea what I'm getting myself into. I've been out of the country before - Lithuania, Russia, a mad dash across Europe, Mexico - so I know what it's like to be in a place that's completely foreign. It has been seven (!) years since I've been abroad, and who knows how the experience of travel will be different since my life has become more settled, and I've established a routine. I am looking forward to the struggle to accomplish things I take for granted here, like buying a cup of coffee. I can't wait to have that thrill and exhaustion of everything being novel again. Turkey will be the first Islamic country I'll visit. I am excited to hear the call to prayer and visit some famous mosques, but hopefully avoid the challenges of traveling to a place such as Iran. I'm curious to see how much antipathy I'll run into. With tensions flaring between Turkey and Israel, it will be interesting to see how that manifests on the streets of Istanbul. So, what do I expect? Who knows? I'm treating this trip like the rest of my life - I show up, make the best of it, and see what happens.

Good News for Students! Starbucks to Offer Free Wi-Fi

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 16:47:00 -0400

Starbucks announced today that they will begin offering free Wi-Fi at all of its locations nationwide starting on July 1st. Even better, you won't even have to register for an account and the Wi-Fi will not be limited. I have a feeling that the Starbucks near Colleges and High Schools are going to be a lot more busy starting in July. While you are taking advantage of the free Wi-Fi, be sure to stop back by and read our blog or apply for our scholarship drawing! Happy (free) surfing.

College Freshman Survival Guide - What to Expect as a Freshman: Part 1 (Dorm Life)

Fri, 28 May 2010 15:15:00 -0400

A freshman year college student faces a lot of new information and situations at once. Classes are different, people are different and the college is often miles or even states away from home. But nothing requires the same kind of adjustment that dorm life does. If you come from a large family where several people have shared a small number of bathrooms or you've shared a bedroom, the adjustment might not be as extreme as you think. If you're an only child or you're used to having everything to yourself, a little college preparation can go a long way.

College living in a dorm often means that you'll be using a community bathroom. Each floor of a dormitory typically has one bathroom, but the large dormitories may have more than one. And for most undergrad students, it seems that the bathroom is as far away as it can possibly be. This requires a little bit of forethought. A caddy or container that contains all your toiletries and anything you might need should be fully stocked and kept handy.

If you're not used to wearing a robe or slippers around the house, you may want to invest in those for your freshman year so you never have to make a midnight dash to the bathroom in sleepwear that may be a bit more revealing than you'd like. Also, some type of shower shoes like flip-flops, as inconvenient as that might seem when you take a shower, can protect your feet from fungus that is pretty common in shared shower situations. Taking 3 seconds to slip on a pair of cheap flip-flops can save you in aggravation and antifungal medication later.

You'll also need to consider the laundry situation as a freshman year college student. Shared laundry facilities are common in dormitories and upperclassmen are typically already in a routine. They know the best time to go and have worked out all of the schedules and situations that you're trying to figure out now. Give yourself leeway. Don't wait until every item of clothing is dirty before you try to get the laundry done or you might find that the machines are full.

Also, keep in mind that the neater you keep your space, the better you'll be able to concentrate and focus on your work. You'll also be able to enjoy yourself more when you do have down time because you won't be thinking about how messy your dorm room is. The stereotypical messy dorm room might seem almost fun, but it can actually be counterproductive to a freshman year college student or any student. Keeping your room clean and organized and planning your time for showers, laundry and other tasks will make a huge difference in how smooth your transition is from high school to dorm living.

AnyCollege can help you find a college that has a great dorm environment as well as academic excellence.

Studying Abroad Can Change Your Life

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 09:14:00 -0400

The great thing about going to college is that you have all kinds of opportunities to spread your wings. Studying abroad is one of those opportunities and too few students are taking advantage of it. Many schools and universities offer study abroad programs, some are better than others, but all of them offer a unique chance for students to step out of their comfort zones and better themselves.

Thousands of students head off to foreign lands every summer. From England to Australia, South Africa to Spain, there are many places to go. You may never have an opportunity like this again in your life to take off for a few months and immerse yourself in a different country and culture. The best part is that you get to earn course credits while you are there!

It's not all about learning a foreign language either, although it is a great opportunity to. Many students go to further their education in whatever particular area of study they are majoring in. Business, foreign language, communications and international relations are just a sampling of what you can study overseas. It also something you can put on your resume after you graduate.

Some students may be scared off due to the potential cost involved or because they would be away from home for so long. Don't fret, that's a normal feeling. Students who have studied abroad often felt the same way before taking the plunge, but they comeback being so thankful they were able to go. They often return to campus with their eyes wide open and with a new insight into how they fit into the world.

"I was so sad when it was over," stated Laura Paterra, who went on a study abroad trip to Italy. "I remember crying on the way there because I was nervous and didn't want to be away from home for so many months. And then, I remember crying on the way home because I don't want to leave." There are several other shared experiences like Paterra's that can be found in the same article by the PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW.

Studying abroad may not be for everyone, but if you are interested, check to see what programs your school offers. Many of our schools on AnyCollege offer study abroad programs.